Improvement in car-springs



Patented Oct.' 6, 1863.

IIIA

R.. VOSE.

Car Spring.

W itnes s es= AMA PHOTO-LITRO. C0. N.{ (USBDRNE'S PRUCESS.)

" f UNITED STATES PATENT OErnjE.

RICHARD VOSE, OF NEV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES S. S. LENOX,

0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY. y

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-SPRINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 410,218, dated October 6, 1863.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, RICHARD VosE, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Combination-Springs for Railroad-Cars and other Vehicles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, :reference being' had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specitication, and of which- Figure l is a side elevation of my improved spring; Fig. 2, a top view of the same; Fig. 3, a longitudinal section thereof in the line a@ ar, and Fig. 4 a transverse section in the line y y of Fig. 2 5 Fig. A,5, a longitudinal section of the spring when under pressure, and Fig. 6 a longitudinal section of one of the central distributingplates, C, of the spring detached, showing its projecting flange. a.

Similar letters indica-te like parts in each of the drawings.

My improved compound spring is composed of a rectangular metallic box or case, A A A, Fig. 3, containing a double set of straight springs, B B, separated by distributing-plates C C, and interposed compensating-springs D D D. The distributing-plates C U have each an outer curved surface and an inner straight face. (See Fig. 6.) Their inner or opposite faces are recessed at regular intervals to receive and hold the compensating-springs D D D, Figs. 3 and 5, placed between them. Flanges a a project uniformly beyond their outer curved surfaces along the edges of the two sides of the plates to a height equal to the thickness of the straight springs B B. The bed-plate or bottom A of the case is arched or curved :interiorly from end to end in an arc coinciding with that of the curved faces of the distributin g-plates C C. An outer bearing-plate, E, Figs. 3, 4, and 5, whose inner surface is likewise curved in an arc extending from end to end, coincident in diameter with that of the distributing-plates C C, completes the combination and arrangement of my spring for use. The straight springs B B, Fig. 3, are composed of two or more highly-tempered elastic metallic plates or leaves, of such a width as to t closely between the curved flanges a a., Figs. 4 and 6, of the distributing-plates C C. When the spring is at rest and not under pressure, the opposite inner faces of the straight springs B B are in contact with the interposed distributingplates G C at their central point only, while the extreme ends of their outer faces rest upon or against the ends of the arched surfaces of the bearing-plate E and bottom plate, A', of the case A A A, respectively. Hence, when pressure is applied, it is received first upon the ends and center of the spring-plates, and, as it gradually overcomes their elasticity, causes them to conform to the curves of the confningsurfaces. It is evi-v dent, however, that as the springs b'end they receive increased support in a ratio corresponding to the increase of weight or pressure applied to them, and are thus at all times pro tected from undue strain.

The rubber springs D D, Figs. 3 and 5, serve to compensate and equalize the resistance of t-he combined springs and give the whole additional resilient power.

In order to protect the elastic leaves composing the straight springs. B B from the effects of concussive shocks or blows, and to preserve their temper and quality, I interposc between the several leaves or plates thin layers c e e, Figs. 3, 4, and 5, of felt, india-rubber, or other equivalent elastic or fibrous material.

rIhe movements of the bearing-plate E and distributing-plates G C are steadied by means of projections or flanges K K, Figs. l, 2, and 4, thereon, which are received and slide in rectangular recesses formed in the sides of the inclosing-case A A, by offsetting the same, as is clearly :illustrated in Fig. 2.

I prefer to make the interposed compensatingsprings D D of solid india-rubber, but contemplate also the use of spiral metallic springs or equivalents in any form.

The outer casing, A A,may properly be cast of metal in one piece, and the distributing and bearing plates O and E may also be formed of cast metal, affording great economy in the manufacture ofthe spring.

The compact form of lnyimproved compound spring offers many advantages which it is not necessary here to enumerate.

Having thus fully described my new and improved railroadcar spring, what I claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of one or more straight metallic springs, B B, with the peculiarlyformed interposed distributing-plates G G and central compensating-springs, D D, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. When straight metallic springs B B are combined with interposed outwardly-curved distributing-plates C C and compensatingsprings D D, substantially as herein described,

combining the same with an arched bearing; plate E and end or bed plate, A', substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

The aforegoing specification of my improvement in railroad-car springs signed by me this 25th (lary of August, A. D. 14863.

RICHD. VOSE.

In presence of- J AMES W. LOW, A. L. BUTLER. 

